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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s Education Program is launching its third annual writing competition, "Rocking History: A Century of Change" for students in grades 3-8 attending Fairfield County schools.

The competition is from May 4 through June 10 and celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary with an awards presentation that will take place at the museum, 295 West Ave, at 2 p.m. Oct. 29.

“I am thrilled that the museum is launching its third writing competition and offering students a creative and interactive way to learn more about U.S. and Connecticut history and the arts, while providing an opportunity for students to hone the writing skills that they are learning and developing in class,” said Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s Education Program Education Committee Chair Haroldo Williams.

Students will be asked to write a paper that highlights the difference between the mansion in the 1860s and in the 1960s, when the house was about to be demolished by the City of Norwalk. In their story, students are encouraged to elaborate on what was happening in Norwalk from the 1860s through the 1960s and discuss why the mansion eventually was earmarked for demolition.

Other topics students may cover will be questions relating to reasons why the mansion was slated to be razed and whether villains or ghosts may have had any impact on the future of this American castle.

Requirements for the competition will be tailored to the grade levels and posted on the museum's website and on flyers. Competition winners will be notified by mid-September. There will be a cash prize awarded for first place and prizes awarded for second and third place. Winners and their families will be guests of honor at the Oct. 29 awards presentation.

For more information on the competition and the education program please visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, call 203-838-9799, Ext. 214 or e-mail education@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.